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The Monday Round-Up: A Busy Weekend of Racing

Results from Brazil, Spain, and Austria, a new race in Greece, news from TriClubs and WomenFor Tri and a lot more.

Weekend at a Glance

IRONMAN Brazil

Jesper Svensson (SUI) was untouchable in Florianopolis on Sunday. The lanky Swede lead the field out of the water and proceeded to pad his advantage throughout the bike carrying a five-and-a-half minute advantage on Igor Amorelli (BRA) and close to a 10-minute gap to third as the bike portion of the race concluded.

Once the race hit the run, Amorelli narrowed his deficit to the leader by a minute in the opening kms, but was never successful in getting any closer than 4:30 to Svensson. By the end of the run, Svensson claimed the win in South America by a 6:23-minute winning margin.

In the women's race, Haley Chura (USA) put her stamp on the race in the swim hitting the beach a full five minutes earlier than her closest rival. Kirsty Jahn (CAN) out-biked Chura throughout the 180 kms and dismounted her bike enjoying a seven-minute lead on the American. Jahn would lay down a solid run to claim the win in 8:54:58 over Piampiano whose race-best run rocketed her into second in the second half of the run.

IRONMAN Lanzarote

Alessandro Degasperi usually is a man for the second half of an IRONMAN race. This time, everything was different at the Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote. Whenever the race announcers talked about the lead group in the men’s pro field during the swim, they were wondering if they should really say what the spotters told them from the swim course. Degasperi, famous for weaker swims and superb bike-and-run performances, was among the best in the water. Thanks to the swim of his life as a professional triathlete, the 2015 champion was part of the leading swim group and already in the mix when the tough bike race started.

Degasperi hammered onto the hardest bike course on the planet together with 2014 winner Romain Guillaume, but he was in his own zone soon, because Frenchman Guillaume started to struggle about halfway. When Degasperi hit the highest point of the course at the breathtaking scenic point Mirador del Rio, the 37-year-old knew about his great position. Spaniard Ivan Rana worked hard to get close to the Italian leader, but Degasperi kept going and didn’t show any weakness throughout the marathon. Although Rana was nailing a good run as Cyril Viennot and a storming Danish in fourth, Jens Petersen-Bach, Degasperi never let anyone come closer than 5 minutes in the run.

A former champion also performed well in the women’s race. Lucy Gossage was one of the big names on the start list, but the 2015 champion knew about the talent of athletes like the multiple IRONMAN champions Yvonne van Vlerken or Michelle Vesterby next to her. Gossage didn’t care and pushed herself early to the front, just like Degasperi. Vesterby could benefit from her strong swim on the first half of the bike, but after that the 38-year-old from Great Britain took control. Gossage was already in the lead,before she passed the top of the course at the Mirador del Rio. Ranking third last year, she nailed a fast bike split and had an advantage of more than four minutes when she started the marathon. Just as in men’s race, the strong runner was off and away early.

IRONMAN 70.3 St. Polten

At the 12th edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 St. Pölten the 1.9 km swim – combining 2 lakes with a 200m running passage – was dominated by Lukasz Wojt (GER) in 00:23:29. On the bike course, held on a highway for the first 18km, the Italian Giulio Molinari took over the leading position quickly followed by Ruedi Wild (SUI) and the two Germans Florian Angermann and Michael Raelert. Austrian Michi Weiss came from the back and made it to T2 in 10th position. The leading trio with Molinari, Wild, and Raelert stayed stable until km 16 when Michi Weiss took over the lead. He kept his fast running pace and won his home race with a new race course record in 03:51:36. Wild finished second in 03:53:20, Molinari completed the podium in 03:54:03.

Helle Frederiksen (DEN) was first out of the water on the women’s side in 00:26:39. Three-time winner Laura Philipp (GER) came out fourth, but quickly took over the lead on the bike. She kept her position and started the half marathon shoulder to shoulder with Frederiksen who soon fell back. Anja Beranek (GER) in third chased the two but Philipp couldn’t be reached and won the IRONMAN 70.3 St. Pölten for the fourth time in a row in 04:14:25. Frederiksen tooka second in 04:17:25, nd Beranek finished third in 04:21:59.

The Buzz: What We're Reading, Gossiping About, and Loving in the Endurance Sports World

This week’s Buzz is all about athletes—A-list celebs and age groupers alike—and their take on tackling endurance challenges.

Ramsay’s Way to Relax

Gordon Ramsay, our favorite foodie and celebrity chef—in his characteristic unfiltered style—says that competing in IRONMAN helps keep him centered. "Attempting to do an IRONMAN on the toughest course in the world in Kona, Hawaii, made me claw back time, to help keep my mind focused. So how do I relax? I do a f***ing IRONMAN."

Grandfather, marathoner, and IRONMAN athlete Gu Dawo of China has long had a love for endurance sport. "I always ran to work when I was young," says the now 74-year-old. He’s on a mission to share his passion with China’s youth and change their perceptions of their elders. "I want to show them that age will not stop the heart and the feet from running ahead."

Proving It

Brian and Monica Folts embrace the sessions that most IRONMAN athletes dread: treadmill runs. In fact, that’s how the Denver couple logs all their run training miles. They have plenty of reasons for running indoors, including performance gains. Ultimately, says Monica, the drive to train and ultimately compete—even in what many consider an uncomfortable setting—comes down to this: "You didn’t think it was possible, and then you prove yourself wrong. Those are the moments I live for."

Instagram of the Week

Rinny and Tim to Race IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia, Poland

Triathlon's power couple, Mirinda Carfrae and Tim O'Donnell, will be racing this Eastern European event featuring a one-loop bike course around the city and through the beautiful Kashubia region. The run course will feature 5 stages along the 7k-long course playing non-stop live music, with a total of 15 bands! Join them in what fans call the "Polish Mallorca" in August! Register now.

IRONMAN 70.3 Comes to Greece, The Birthplace of the Olympic Spirit

The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Greece will take place in Costa Navarino on April 14, 2019; General registration opens May 28, 2018

A modern sporting icon takes root in the region that gave rise to the Olympic spirit as Costa Navarino hosts Greece’s first ever IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon. The race will take place in Costa Navarino of the Messinia region, one of the most unspoiled and breathtaking seaside Mediterranean landscapes.

Costa Navarino welcomes athletes from around the world to Greece’s first ever IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon and to experience the renowned Messinian hospitality, or ‘filoxenia’ in Greek – a word that’s origins stem from Homer’s Odyssey.

Located within the southwest Peloponnese, Costa Navarino is easily accessible with direct flights to Kalamata International Airport from most European cities and only a short drive from Kalamata International Airport to Navarino Dunes. From Athens, Costa Navarino is approximately a three-hour drive (270 km) and from the international port of Patras, which has daily ferry services to and from Italy, a two-hour drive (200 km).

92 clubs, from 21 countries, representing 800 athletes, battled it out in near perfect conditions at the Europe, Middle East and Africa TriClub Championship Final.

Throughout 2017, over 1,500 clubs competed across 17 qualifier races in Europe, Africa and the Middle East to secure their qualifying spot for the EMEA TriClub Championship Final on May 20, 2018 in the stunning sea side town of Calella at IRONMAN 70.3 Barcelona.

The IRONMAN EMEA TriClub Championship Final considers a club’s top five individual athlete results, based on IRONMAN’s Age Group Ranking (AGR) system. The club with the most points in each division is crowned EMEA TriClub Champion.

Against the backdrop of the stunning Mediterranean Sea, IRONMAN 70.3 Barcelona, Calella, played host to a weekend of TriClub fanfare, comradery and celebrations. A dedicated TriClub parade, priority race benefits and special athlete gifts were just a few of the great benefits on offer for qualified TriClub athletes racing at the Championship.

"It’s a big thing for us, we are a big club in Denmark, with lots of athletes traveling around the world, so it’s really amazing to receive this trophy. Definitely, we will be back to try and win it again, for sure."

Division II Champion: Stockholm City Triathlon

"It’s fantastic. We qualified at IRONMAN 70.3 Jonkoping, and then we put it out to our members to see who’d want to come and we got overwhelming support to get out here to Barcelona, over 25 people and some of our best athletes. It’s just been such a great week. We’ve all had great time, it’s just been really, really good. We thought that this might be our last race here, but actually we’ll be back."

Division III Champion: Full-on tri

"It’s a great surprise. Half a dozen of us signed up for the race on a whim, and to come and win, it is just a dream. All of us have had such a good time, so yes, we’ll be back to defend the title!"

Division IV Champion: Jersey Tri Club

"It’s been a long haul, we qualified back at IRONMAN 70.3 Pays d’Aix in France last year, there was about fifteen of us there. And somehow, we’ve managed to get about 51 of us to come over from Jersey to the Championship Final, it’s been mega. The weather really, really helped, what an event, absolutely brilliant. A definite that we’ll be back next year."

(ENG) "It’s mainly the result of a collective team effort. Beyond the result, for us, it’s all about team spirit. At the Championship this has been really important for us as we are a big team. The men in our club came out of the water all together and were able to cheer each other on the bike and on the run, and push each other. Next year for sure we will come back and defend the title."

Women For Tri Provides Grants for Triathlon Clubs In U.S., Australia, New Zealand and China

More than $248,000 to date awarded to support female participation initiatives

Women For Tri, a program of the IRONMAN Foundation®, today announced the distribution of grants to 28 triathlon clubs in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and China. This year, Women For Tri will again offer multiple grants of up to $2,500 per grant for triathlon clubs that will utilize the funds to support women’s engagement initiatives, including bringing first-timers into the sport. Since the program’s inception in 2016 more than $248,000 has been awarded.

"On behalf of Women For Tri, we are delighted to disburse the next round of grants and to continue to grow the triathlon club grant program globally," said Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. Representative, Arizona – 9thCongressional District and head of the Women For Tri Committee of Advisors. "Women For Tri seeks to increase women's participation in the sport of triathlon, and we have seen our club grants introduce hundreds of women to the sport we all love. We are particularly excited to see women ‘growing’ within the sport, starting with the sprint distance and moving up to longer distances."

Women For Tri 2018 Triathlon Club Grant Program

The Triathlon Club Grant Program was established to support local triathlon clubs as they develop programming and activities to increase female participation in triathlon. Benefiting clubs will utilize funds to provide: specific training for female triathletes with a focus on removing barriers to participation; educational programs for female triathletes; and networking and social gatherings with a focus on recruiting and engaging women to participate in triathlon. A second round of funding will be awarded later this season. The grant recipients are:

Registration Radar

IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh: Get more than you bargained for at one of Europe’s most unique and captivating races. In a world exclusive, IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh will offer 50 slots to the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa as well as 50 slots to the 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France. With the opportunity to claim both slots simultaneously it’s the triple delight – embark on a Scottish adventure in Edinburgh, secure your spot for South Africa this year and be on the start line with the world’s best in France in 2019.

Enea 5150 Warsaw: A giant M-dot shaped clock on the Vistulan Boulevards means it's the final countdown to the Enea 5150 Warsaw. With a record 1250-plus athletes already registered (unique for a standalone 5150 event!), Warsaw is expecting an unforgettable race on June 10. If you're looking for a tune-up event before racing a longer event this summer, the City of the Mermaid is the perfect choice. Read why here.

Partner News

Princess Cruises to Provide "A New You" Experience for Triathletes

Princess Cruises announced today a partnership with IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Holdings company as an Official Sponsor of IRONMAN. This North American partnership between IRONMAN and Princess Cruises gives triathletes the opportunity to take advantage of exclusive offers on the Princess Cruises line to assist with the recovery process after extensive training and competition, allowing them to return reenergized and ready for the next event.

With more than 50 years of experience, Princess Cruises is a recognized leader in worldwide cruising, carrying two million guests each year to 360 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts has created more than 150 award-winning itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises has been continuously recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries."

Princess will provide six cruises to select IRONMAN athletes with offers that allow them to take time away, leaving them feeling refreshed and motivated at their next start line. Princess Cruise ships are renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities all provided with the experience of exceptional customer service.

Some of the cruise line’s offerings the athletes are sure to enjoy including the award-winning Princess Cruises Luxury Bed, developed in collaboration with board-certified sleep expert, Dr. Michael Breus and renowned HGTV designer Candice Olsen. The bed offers the ultimate night of sleep at sea combining the science of sleep with the pinnacle of design.

From the staterooms to the ship deck, the Sanctuary provides a unique oasis of tranquility. The exclusive adults-only retreat offers a relaxing alternative to the myriad outdoor activities and entertainment available elsewhere throughout the ship. Solitude seekers can escape to this plush, outdoor spa-inspired setting with signature beverages, light meals, massages, attentive service and relaxing personal entertainment.

IRONMAN U.S. Series Volunteer Program to be presented by UnitedHealthcare in 2018

UnitedHealthcare is now the Official Volunteer Partner of IRONMAN in the United States for 2018. UnitedHealthcare continues its support of IRONMAN and will be represented at races throughout the United States.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with UnitedHealthcare and appreciate their support of the volunteer program this year," said Stuart Selig, IRONMAN’s Executive Vice President, Global Partnerships – North America. "UnitedHealthcare is a respected organization and we are grateful for their support of the tens of thousands of volunteers that make our events possible."

UnitedHealthcare is a longtime supporter of IRONMAN and, as the official volunteer sponsor, will be seen on all 2018 volunteer shirts, the volunteer check-in areas, volunteer videos and via IRONMAN social channels.

AltRed joins IRONMAN as the Official Beet Performance Supplement of the IRONMAN U.S. Series

AltRed, which was launched in July 2017, is a plant-based supplement that has been clinically proven to enhance endurance athletes’ performance, speed, and recovery. AltRed is created through a patented process, which extracts and concentrates Betalains from beets. Betalains are a phytonutrient naturally found in beets and are the only active ingredient in AltRed. In two double-blind "gold standard" studies conducted by the Sports Performance Laboratory at the University of California Davis, AltRed was scientifically shown to improve oxygen delivery, mitigate lactic acid, and reduce certain markers of muscle damage during activity. No other sport supplement provides extracted Betalains like those that are available in AltRed.

The athletes that use AltRed are its true ambassadors. The AltRed PhytoRebel Ambassador community has over 100 athletes who share the core principles of training and competing with clean, plant-based supplements. AltRed also partners with and supplies Timex Multisport Team, which has nearly 50 professional athletes, elite age-groupers, and influential triathlon figures. Sur is committed to providing those athletes with clean products; that is why AltRed is third-party tested and certified through both Informed-Choice Trusted by Sport and NSF.

You can find the Sur PhytoPerformance team and their distinctive red AltRed Airstream trailer as they travel the country activating at IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3, and other endurance events across the country throughout the year.